Today I?m going to tell you the story of the one that got away.
I was in my cockpit reading an old issue of Latitudes & Attitudes yesterday when my reel went crazy. I quickly attended to it and increased the drag. ?Wow, this is big?, It took nearly all my line.
I decreased the motor to about 800 RPM?s and worked the reel carefully for a good 30 minutes and built up a good sweat.
It slowly came into sight?, my ?elusive? Tuna! It had to be at least 35 pounds. I?m carrying over 25 pounds of salt on board and will dry a good majority of it in my bucket. I?ll also dry it on every inch of life-line as jerky, not to mention having a sashimi feast for lunch, YAHOOOOO!!!
My hand inched for the gaff as I reeled him to only a few feet from the boat. He fought harder as he got closer and I could tell he was determined not to get on the boat ?Not today buddy? I said aloud as I eased the drag and tangled him deeper in my web.
He rolled on his side to take a good look at me. I could tell what he was thinking even before he did it. I quickly reached for the release on my reel, but it was too late. He threw himself into the prop. There was a bug ?THUD? and the line went dead. ?I would have done the same thing? I thought. At least I got my lure back.
As I stood there in disappointment I realized there was a solid 3-5 knots of wind from the South East. I threw up my drifter and killed the motor after burning expensive French diesel for nearly 36 hours. I don?t think tunas are as dumb as most other fish.
Perhaps I?ll catch one today.
Peace, Love, and ?It?s good to be home?!
– Alex
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